Where are the SCOTUS opinions?

[jon-nyc]

A century ago, SCOTUS had issued 157 rulings by May 1st.

This court? Just 15.

[George K]

Interesting statistic.

Adler has some interesting numbers in that article.

[LuFins Dad]

It’s the natural progression of case law.

When past precedent becomes the primary guide in court decisions, every year provides more and more precedent that needs to be gone through and examined. This also results in arguments becoming more and more … “creative” in trying to steer their cases towards precedents that support their cases. It slows the process.

[Jolly]

I would also think a preponderance of case law means less appeals.

[Copper]

When just about any opinion can lead to death threats, I can understand some extra delay.

[Mik]

They may be declining more cases.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_U.S._Supreme_Court_cases_decided_by_year

[LuFins Dad]

I get why case law is important and helps the system function, but I still emotionally rebel against the idea. I honestly don’t believe it leads to a truly fair and equitable system of Justice. But I suppose it’s still better than any other system.

I just can’t get past a feeling that there is a fundamental flaw that I lack the intelligence/education/both to explain.

[Mik]

It's not just case law, but precedent. If you don't respect it to some degree the law becomes capricious, vulnerable to the whims of the day.

[jon-nyc]

I really appreciate common law (think of that as case law ossified over time) in concept. It’s more of a Hayekian emergence of law from a society over time rather than a top-down imposed order. That’s not to say I like each and every example. But in general it is a ‘small c’ conservative, stabilizing force.

[Mik]

You have to have some sort of rudder. Pick any one you like, I suspect they’d have more flaws than ours.